No Hidden Pencils in Hidden Figures

Just a brief post about something I haven’t seen in the press – pencils play a major role in the film Hidden Figures.

In particular, mathematician Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson) uses a Pentel P20X mechanical pencil in contrast to the other engineers, who use yellow woodcase pencils. A more evolved pencil for a more evolved person? As some of the management become just a little more enlightened, you observe that they also start to use mechanical pencils.

When Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) decides to become an engineer and wonders about her husband’s support, he gives her a clutch leadholder as a gift.

And chalkboards! So high they require library step ladders to reach the top. Giant chalkboards for giant problems.